By now you probably know that most brands offer a number of different models each time they release a new driver range. With TaylorMade this is no different, and their new Qi4D range features four different heads, each aimed at a different type of golfer.
Today we’re looking at the Qi4D Max, which is the larger, high-MOI model in the range, built to help golfers who are more likely to miss the middle of the face.
Having already tested both the standard Qi4D and the Qi4D LS, it was time to see how the Max model stacked up against the rest of the range.
Who’s It Aimed At?
The Qi4D Max is aimed at golfers who are really looking for forgiveness, helping them out when they don’t hit it from the middle of the face and keeping the ball straighter, rather than chasing all-out distance.
This probably makes it better suited to higher handicap golfers, since the core Qi4D will do a good job for plenty of players already, although if you simply prefer the bigger head shape there’s no reason a decent golfer couldn’t use it too. Despite the size, it doesn’t come with the heavy draw bias you sometimes get from Max-style heads, which should widen its appeal.
The Qi4D range in general is one of the best-looking we’ve seen in quite a few years, and a big step forward from the Qi35, which may well bring some TaylorMade fans back into the fold.
At £549 it’s the same price as the rest of the Qi4D range, and cheaper than rivals like the Ping G440 Max and the Callaway Quantum Max.
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The Tech
The Qi4D Max follows the same 4-dimensional approach as the rest of the range, focusing on head, face, shaft and fitting, but everything here is dialled towards stability and forgiveness rather than outright speed.
The oversize head shape prioritises inertia, increasing MOI to help protect ball speed and reduce twisting on mis-hits, while still presenting a confidence-inspiring profile at address.
The 60x Carbon Twist Face returns, bringing the usual benefits of weight savings, extra ball speed and more consistency over a titanium face, along with an improved roll radius designed to keep spin more consistent regardless of where you strike it vertically on the face.
One of the bigger changes for the Max specifically is the introduction of a collar forged and machined from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminium. Being lighter than titanium, it frees up mass that can be used elsewhere in the head, allowing TaylorMade to build a genuinely high-MOI shape without sacrificing adjustability.
This is also the first Max model from TaylorMade to feature TAS (Trajectory Adjustment System) weights, with a simple two-weight setup (13g and 4g) that can be moved between front and back to fine-tune the balance of speed and forgiveness.
As with the rest of the range, there’s also a 4° loft sleeve for adjusting loft, lie and face angle, and golfers can add reflective fitting markers to the face via custom for more accurate launch monitor data.
The Max also comes with the Reax shafts as standard, built on data from over 11 million shots captured over 20+ years, designed to help golfers quickly identify their rotation rate and get fitted into a shaft that matches their swing. I tested mine with the stock REAX MR50 Blue.
Elsewhere, the Speed Pocket makes another appearance, protecting ball speed and reducing spin on low-face strikes, while Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to place mass exactly where it’s needed for speed and stability.
Looks
Like the rest of the Qi4D range, this is a fantastic looking driver, and I love the headcover too.
The premium look is a big improvement on the silver of the Qi35, and the matte finish on the crown looks great in the flesh. I also prefer it practically, as there’s noticeably less glare from the sun compared to a glossier finish.
Compared to the other heads in the range, the Max is noticeably bigger at address. It’s a really friendly head shape with plenty of surface area, although it still sits nice and square down by the ball rather than looking clunky.
There’s a nice, simple alignment aid, and the face graphics make it easy to line the ball up in the middle of the face, giving you something to focus on when striking it.
The weighting system is kept simple too, with just a front and rear weight that are interchangeable if you want to fine-tune your ball flight characteristics.
Feel
In terms of feel, it probably goes without saying that this head is built around stability rather than speed, and it didn’t feel like I could swing it quite as fast as the core Qi4D or the LS.
It felt a little more “numb” at impact compared to the other heads in the range, without quite the same level of feedback as to where you’d struck it on the face. This is a bit of a common theme with TaylorMade’s carbon faces in general, so isn’t necessarily unique to the Max.
It did feel solid though, coupled with a nice, muted sound, and there wasn’t much sense of the head twisting in your hands even on strikes away from the centre of the face.
Performance
I tested the Qi4D Max on the GCQuad alongside both the standard Qi4D and the Qi4D LS, and the numbers back up exactly what you’d expect from the more forgiving head in the range.
The Max produced the lowest average ball speed of the three drivers, at 146.2mph, compared to 149.2mph from the LS and 148.9mph from the core model. That translated into the shortest average total distance too, at 265.0 yards, versus 268.5 yards from the LS and 268.0 yards from the core Qi4D.
Where the Max really stood out, though, was consistency. The standard deviation on both carry and total distance came in at just ±3.1 yards, comfortably tighter than the core Qi4D (±5.1 carry, ±6.6 total) and a long way ahead of the LS (±6.5 carry, ±4.7 total). Spin was also far more repeatable, at ±74rpm compared to over ±360rpm for both other heads.
I went into testing expecting the bigger head shape to produce a fairly draw-biased shot shape, as can sometimes be the case with Max-style drivers, but my left-right dispersion was actually pretty even. It felt solid, and felt like it was going to find fairways, even if it was missing a little of the “pop” off the face you get from the other two heads, which the numbers confirm.
Overall, it’s a driver that does exactly what a high-MOI model should: giving up a little top-end ball speed and distance in exchange for a tighter, more repeatable shot pattern.
Verdict
Overall this is a good driver, and the entire Qi4D range feels like a real improvement on the Qi35, particularly in the looks department.
It’s still good value for money when you compare it against the likes of the new Ping G440 Max or Callaway Quantum Max. It’s not a driver that’s going to blow you away with distance, but it basically performs like one that will keep you in play.
My main issue with it is that the core Qi4D model is already good and forgiving in its own right, and because the Max doesn’t carry quite the same level of draw bias we’ve seen from similar heads in the past, it may end up limiting its own popularity.
But if you’re a TaylorMade fan looking for something that looks great, offers plenty of forgiveness across the face, and is easy to launch, it could be a great option.
Would I Use It?
To be honest I wouldn’t. I much preferred the look and performance of the standard Qi4D head, although I can absolutely see this being the right choice for golfers who need the extra forgiveness.
Looking to buy? Shop Now at Clubhouse Golf, the largest and most trusted independent golf retailer in the UK!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the TaylorMade Qi4D Max Driver cost?
The Qi4D Max has an RRP of £549, the same price as both the standard Qi4D and the Qi4D LS.
What lofts is the Qi4D Max available in?
The Qi4D Max is available in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts, with a 4° loft sleeve also allowing for further adjustment of loft, lie and face angle.
Is the Qi4D Max more forgiving than the standard Qi4D and Qi4D LS?
Yes. Launch monitor testing showed the Qi4D Max produced significantly tighter dispersion on both carry and total distance than the other two heads in the range, at the cost of a small amount of ball speed and overall distance.
Is the Qi4D Max very draw-biased?
Despite its larger, high-MOI head shape, testing showed fairly even left-right dispersion, without the heavy draw bias sometimes associated with “Max” style drivers.
How does the Qi4D Max compare to the Qi35 range?
The Qi4D Max represents a clear step forward from the Qi35 in terms of looks, with a smarter matte finish that also helps reduce glare, alongside the addition of TAS weights for the first time in a TaylorMade Max driver.
